Justice coalition urges Ondo Assembly to pass violence against person’s bill

The Justice Development and Peace Centre (JDPC), Catholic Diocese of Akure, has called on the Ondo State House of Assembly as a matter of urgency to quickly review and enact the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) bill to provide protection for women.

The Ondo JDPC in collaboration with other organisations also appealed to the Assembly members to ensure punishment for perpetrators of gender-based violence in the state.

JDPC made the call at the weekend at a press briefing to mark the 16-days of activism against gender-based violence which starts on 25th of November and ends on 10th December, 2020 which is the international human rights day.

Recall that Ondo state was the only state in the southwest that is yet to domesticate the Violence Against Persons Prohibition Act.

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But, Austin Ogunleye, the Programme Officer, JDPC who spoke on behalf of the organization, therefore, called on the citizens of Ondo state to start to engage their representative at the House of Assembly to support the passage of the bill without any delay.

According to him, if the bill was passed into law, it would address the issues of violence in all ramifications and comprehensively too.

“We want to use this opportunity to appreciate Ondo state government for transmitting the VAPP draft to Ondo state House of Assembly, this for us is a good development.

“However, we want to call on the honorable members of Ondo state House of Assembly to expedite action on the VAPP draft. The VAPP draft when passed to the law will further enhance the fight against gender-based violence in the state,” Ogunleye said.

Ogunleye who also said there is a need for security agencies in the state to do more in terms of prosecuting cases of gender-based violence said people of Ondo state need their patriotism in fighting this social menace.

“We wish to call on the Chief Judge of Ondo state to make sure that cases of gender-based violence are given speed trial. More so, we call on the government through the office of the wife of the governor, to do more in providing quality education, healthcare, and other social amenities that dignify the women of Ondo state.

“Also, the office of the wife of the governor should provide empowerment for women so we can have more women contributing to the economy of the state and nation as a whole.

The theme of this year 2020, 16-days of activism against gender-based violence tagged; “Orange the world: Fund, Respond, Prevent and Collect.”

JDPC, therefore said it would continue advocating for behavioral change, sensitizing citizens on gender-based violence, tracking and responding to cases of gender-based violence, and improving women’s political participation in the state.